Football | Zimbabwe

Musona to miss Afcon qualifier

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona will likely miss Zimbabwe’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Angin Harare on Sunday, but the real reasons for his absence is unclear.

The Zimbabwe Football Association are accused by Musona’s German club FC Augsburg of not calling-up the player 14 days before the tie as stipulated by the Fifa rules. As a result the Bundesliga outfit are not obliged to release him.

Augsburg have also said Musona is injured although the player did compete for 90 minutes in the German league last weekend in the 1-3 loss to Schalke 04.

It could also be that Musona is still upset after officials accused him in June of being involved in possible match fixing. Musona was seen in the company of former ZIFA general secretary Henrietta Rushwaya, who is at the centre of the Asiagate scandal, just after Zimbabwe lost at home to Guinea in the World Cup qualifiers.

A lawyer claiming to be acting for Musona demanded an apology but none has been forthcoming from ZIFA.

Musona’s failure to pitch for the game comes as a heavy blow to Zimbabwe’s hopes of reaching the finals for the first time since 2006.

Zifa officials were still telling reporters on Thursday they believed Musona would yet arrive for the match but the local media doubts it.

His absence adds to that of Tinashe Nengomasha, who had also not pitched for national duty on Thursday. The South African-based midfielder recently moved from Chiefs to Wits.

Another two players from the PSL, AmaZulu goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini and veteran Esrom Nyandoro are doubtful for the game with injury.